I quite liked composite classes... I was in one grade 5-6 (I was in 5) and then when we moved too Thornton my sis and I went to school wheer there were never more than 25 students (yup!) and our classes were P-1-2-3-4, and 5-6-7 (I was in 7). Rayray... its not so much that year 2 students did year 3 work or vice versa, at least thats not what my classes were like... we did do group activities sometimes, but when it came to the basics we learnt separate things so it wouldn't be boring for a year 3 student because they would be doing year 3 work, not year 2 work. At least, thats the experience I had.

My sis and I were in the same class at the small school, and I was a bit like your older son, big sister and a little (just a little! promise!) bosy, and I would always answer for her and help her, so during that time she never really got to be an individual and be by herself. It was ok when I left for high school though, she really came out of her shell. So I would push for separate classes, and most schools should understand and move them.

In Qld (probably other states too but I know its definately in Qld) there is a day 8 cut off for staffing... so schools are allocated staff based on their numbers at day 8 of the school year, so they're probably waiting until day 8 to see what kind of staff numbers they will have and then change classes around depending on what staff they have etc.

Does that make sense? I really only know the day 8 rule in relation to SEU staff, but I think its all the same?